Joaquin Niemann lines up putt on the 18th at Le Golf National. GETTY IMAGES

Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann is part of the LIV circuit, sponsored by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. This has caused some division in the golfing world, as tournaments on that circuit do not count towards playing in the Games.

Since this circuit was created in 2022, it has been shrouded in controversy. Players who have joined it have been accused of doing so purely for the money, rather than being content to stay on the US PGA Tour or European Tour. One of the most striking cases in recent times was when Spain's Jon Rahm, one of the best players in the world in recent years, also joined LIV.

Jon Rahm plays his second shot on the 17th hole GETTY IMAGES
Jon Rahm plays his second shot on the 17th hole GETTY IMAGES

Being part of LIV does not exclude playing other tournaments. It is possible to make the calendar compatible, because this new circuit has only eight tournaments for the moment. Thus, the most important tournaments of each year can still count on all the best players, but in the Olympic Games the qualification system has not been changed.

This is what Niemann complains about. What counts is the world ranking. The points obtained are through the classic circuits and not the more modern one. That's why players interested in participating in the Games have to go through PGA or European Tour tournaments and get the necessary points. 

Niemann does not have much competition in his country. That is why it has not been too difficult for him to qualify. But in countries where there may be many candidates to be in the Olympic event, this is complicated. 

This is the case of the United States, which has four players out of the total 60 competing in Paris 2024. They are the four highest ranked players, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa. But not Bryson DeChambeau, who won the US Open in June but has only played nine tournaments that count towards the rankings in the last year. His compatriots have played more than 40 each.



Niemann not only believes the system is unfair, but that it has consequences for spectators as well. The list of participants is not the best possible, because some who do compete in LIV are missing, and he believes that makes the tournament less attractive.

That does not prevent the Chilean golfer from arriving at Le Golf National fully focused on winning a medal for his country. In the first day he finished with 66 strokes, five under par, tied for third place with three rounds to play.